OH YEEEEEEEAH!! I FORGOT ABOUT THIS!
Monday, July 14
what happens to a blog deffered?
i suppose it drys up like a raisin in the sun
or does it implode?
Tuesday, April 29
So I've decided to try to beat all the Final Fantasies I haven't beaten yet. Those would be:
Final Fantasy 1
Final Fantasy 2 (original, not 4 that was released as 2 here in the states)
Final Fantasy 5
Final Fantasy 10
Final Fantasy 12
I'm working on 1 and 10 currently. I'm only about 12 hours into 10, but I'm doing better on 1. Tonight I beat the Fire dungeon and obtained the Airship. Sweetness.
Umm..That's all, I just felt like posting that
Tuesday, March 25
So, I've decided to start this project as inspired by www.feltron.com, it won't look as nice as that.
but ive decided to record everything in quantitative form in my life.
from # of times i see people
distance traveled
total hours sleeping
total hours in car
# of poops
# of alcholic drinks
$ on food
$ on ent
# of hours at various stores
every aspect i will meticiously record over the next year
this will start at the beginning of next month
April 1, 2008 - Apirl 1, 2009
No, it's not a joke
its going to be great insight into my life
really, it will be.
i'd suggest others to do the same if you have the will power.
my system will be to have one giant notebook that i record everything into
this will be my HOMEBASE
i plan to have a # of fat 'baby' notebooks that will be my mobile satiellites
i will weigh myself on a weekly basis
it will be really fun i think
i'll just have to make sure to stay on top of it religiously
its going to become pure OCD after one month
Sunday, March 23
heh.
this is going to be a very unintelligible post
that was my disclaimer
who the hell reads this?
its all in vain
leave a comment to let me know you are alive/us
dirty dozens
i have a pretty petty putrid plastic pearl phone pulling parasecs post-haste.
hm.
that was easy and boring.
honesly
its 134am
on a monday morning
so grim
man
i just had to skip through 50 songs to find one that i wanted to listen to
like
skipped aphex twin radiohead
etc.
and got offspring
ok
ill live with this for 4 minutes.
my gatorade is cool and pacificing
i horribly mispelt that
and probalby that
and yes, that too.
heh.
rant and rave
nothing constructive here tonight
not even a rant muchless a rave.
im hungry but ive ate crap all day
cept for those cheesy potatoes
man theys good.
i could read
should read
but i dont feel like it
wait
8minutes
what the hell this song isnt 8 minutes
oh hidden track
thats right
duh
nothing but time
time time time passing
nothing but blog
blog blog blog passing
nothing but ABCD
ABCD ABCD ABCD passing
i want my house damnit
stop pulling my chain
let me get it or turn me down.
it doesnt matter either way.
;\
chopped up face look
like
;/
im in a real let me be to myself mood right now
i didnt partcipate in several debates this evening
usually i poke myself around into them and argue my point
i think these nights are wearing on me
JUST ONE MORE NIGHT
holy shit
one more night?
crappity crap.
oh i turned 26 it came and passed much like i excepted and hoped it would
easy cheesy
i think ill lose weight now
ok i lost weight
MOM
mind over matter
its time to get another tatoo
dont care
need one
to show something
that i can take pain
rar
no
something special
just cause i want one
a cross with 2 stars on the left and right
one for ethan on the right one for ryan on the left
i got army guns
i want a desert eagle.
ive decided thats what im gonna get once i get a gun.
357
big power baby.
semi-auto.
blow dem head off
i dont know i dont know i dont know i dont know
i think im done with this post.
Wednesday, March 12
I found an interesting read on RPGs. Something that made me think "whoooooooa" (and the reason I'm even posting this) is this little excerpt:
Probably the biggest single source of bad rule and mechanics decisions comes from the fact that most game designers, rather than actually going to a library, base most of their research on the work of other game designers. In this way errors are compounded, unrealistic ideas are perpetuated, and design flaws from the earliest of games become commonplace in all modern iterations. It all goes back to the origin of the "role playing game." Here we are talking about the true origin of the "let's pretend" game like House or Cops and Robbers, but of the origin of the systemized, rule-based role playing simulation. It all starts with Chainmail.
Chainmail was a short, cheaply published book by Gary Gygax and Dave Perren, originally published by Guidon Games, copyright 1971 (Gygax claimed 1969, but the copyright information contradicts this). It was a set of rules for tabletop miniatures battles using lead figures and dice, and contrary to popular geek-convention myth, there was indeed a 12 page fantasy rules supplement present (in addition to the now-standard concept of "hit points"). By 1974-1975 it was being published by Lake Geneva Tactical Studies Rules (TSR). About this time, the first version of Dungeons and Dragons came out as sort of an add-on to Chainmail, three little brown books that focused on the playing of individual figurine-characters as opposed to conducting large scale tactical combat. The combat tables determining hits, misses, and damage were very similar to those in Chainmail. This is where all the trouble begins.
The modern idea of the systemized RPG, from pen and paper to MMORPG, all stems from this Chainmail legacy, and several silly factors have never been properly weeded out. The two biggies are:
The focus on combat as the core activity in games that are purportedly about assuming a role, as opposed to a tabletop miniatures battle system
Arbitrary and unrealistic characteristics ascribed to weapons and armor, very convenient for calculating casualties in mass combat quickly yet wholly inappropriate for small-scale tactical simulations
It is difficult to underestimate the ability of people to consider themselves an authority on things when their only source of information is a game manual someone else wrote before them, which was in turn based on another game manual, etc. etc. Things become worse when these designer-types elect to "make a few little adjustments" in the thirdhand systems they're stealing from.
Thinking about RPG design is something I've been doing quite a bit lately as I'm intending to make one. In particular, I've been musing lately about RPGs I've played and what I like and dislike about them. I have my own thoughts on the subject of RPG design overall, but the two points in the quote above seem to ring true.
I may come back and post my own thoughts on RPG design.
...But then again, I may not
Saturday, March 8
Hello blog, it's been awhile. In fact, this is my first post on my new computer. where does time go?
Well, as I said, I got a new computer. The HD gets accessed at odd random times, but I suspect it's just the way Vista works. I won't pretend to know what it's doing or why, only that it's certain services working behind the scenes. It seems to have died down quite a bit, so I'm at peace with it.
Oh, and for the curious it's a Compaq Presario, 1.8mhz Intel dual core, 2gb ram, 250gb HD, Vista Home Premium. It's not the greatest, but it's more than adequate for my needs at this time. I also bought a GeForce 8600 videocard so I could work on game development.
Work is insanely insanely boring. I wish now I had found a programming job, and searched harder for one. But at least now I feel more confident in my programming skills and would probably do better on interviews.
I'm feeling more artistic lately. It usually happens when I feel trapped by the world, it's a good escape.
Monday, February 4
This lesson may or may not be a bit longer. I'm not only going to talk about functions because in this lessons I want to introduce some actual real life coding.
Hopefully you downloaded C++ Express like I mentioned. If you haven't I recommend doing so now (unless you already have some form of Visual C++).
To begin, open Visual C++ Express edition. Click "File", then hover over "New" and select "Project..." A new dialog box will open up which allows you to select what type of project you want to create, the name of the project, and where you want it to be created. Visual Studio automatically creates a directory for keeping all of your projects so I recommend leaving the project location at default. Also, leave the "Create directory for solution" checkbox checked which it should be by default. If it's not checked then check it. Feel free to name the project anything you like, I recommend "CLessons" or something similar.
On the upper half there's a list of options on the left. Click "Win32" and this will open up more options on the right side. Highlight "Win32 Console Application" and then, after making sure you named the project, click "Ok"
After this a ewn dialog box will open. Click "Next" to go to the next page of the dialog. Make sure "Console application" is chosen for "Application type" and check the "Empty project" option under "Additional options"
Click finish and your new project will be created. At this point you should see a list of items on the left in a window called "Solution explorer". You should see the name of your project (ie "CLessons" or whatever you named it) and underneath this three folders named "Header files", "Resource files", and "Source files".
Right click "Source files", hover over "Add" and click "New item..." A new dialog box will open similar to the "New project" dialog. This will be your C++ source file which will contain the code of your project. Name the file whatever you want, but I recommend something like "Main". On the upper half click "Code" on the left hand side and then "C++ File(.cpp)" on the right side. After doing this and naming it click "Add"
Now you have a blank sheet to fill with code. Type the following code in:
int main()
{
int a = 0;
int b;
return 0;
}
After this you can click the run button to build and execute your program. The run button looks like a little green play button on the top toolbar in visual studio. It will ask if you want to build your program so just click "Yes" to have it build your program and run it. This program will do nothing but initialize 2 integers so you'll only see a command prompt window open then immediately close.
Well, I know I said this would be a lesson about functions but I guess it turned out not to be. I'm going to leave this here and explain what's going on next lesson. Ok, on second thought I'm going to stop saying what I'm going to do next lesson because I usually end up changing. See you next lesson!
Sunday, February 3
damn blog!!! why dont you display the timestamp!!!! rattin fattin varmit!
this blog is hardcore nothing.
you know, this stomach virus or whatever it is is really kickin my ass
so i woke up an hour earlier today at 230am.
and its 6 hours later at 8am.
you know ive had 6 craps so far??????
crazy i know.
lets get away from that topic.
so what?
i watched across thte universe.
think grease with beatles
and war
and hippies
and bono on LSD trip.
it was pretty good.
but i <3 musicals zomg!
hahahaha heres dj assault again
this is just a funny song.
"bi sexual bitches that do their friends...i love yall ho's for letting assault join in"
some iconic dj/rapper combination who is seemingly promiscious, likes bi sexual women. who are equally promiscious.
lovely
duuuude
i slept so much better last night
i laid down at 845pm.
on a saturday night
yes i know
there might have been a time
when id have been out
doing things
but man
i couldnt wait to lay down
and sleeeeeep
its a good feeling.
or an old feeling.
growing up is something easy to do
maturity...ahahahahaha...there's the rub.
since my main defense for fighting with my son is "well he started it" i suppose there is less hope than i want.
extreme weather in china!
sucks.
you know what else is extreme.
gabes mom.
UNGH!
let me go off on gabes mom for a bit, since everyone else already has
UNGH!
gabes mom is like a blackberry, multi functional but serves on main purpose, oral input.
UNGH!
gabes mom is like an STD, sucks having, but you did it anyways!
UNGH!
gabes mom is NOT like this blog, which no one sees!
UNGH!
gabes mom is like myspace, she has space for everyone
UNGH!
gabes mom is like my lower intestine, really tore up right now!
UNGH!
eeeee
sorry gabe!
i have to go to the restroom
again.
sigh.
i should go home early.
Saturday, February 2
This is a tinier lesson that's a bit of a continuation from the last one. A variable's scope is where the variable can be "seen" by other parts of the program.
Let's say we have some nested blocks of code such as this:
{
int a;
{
int b;
b = a;
}
a = b; //Error
}
Blocks of code get "nested." Developers usually show this nesting visually by indenting blocks of code like I've done here. Basically, variables can be seen only by the block of code it's declared in and any blocks nested within the block it was declared in. As you can see in my example the block of code that b is declared in can see a because it's nested within the block a was declared in. The line below that block of code produces an error however because b can't be seen by blocks of code "higher" then the block it was declared in.
The reason for this is that when the end of a block of code is reached any declared variables are discarded and forgotten. In the above example the end of the block the b was declared in was reached and therefore b is discared and forgotten. When a then tries to get b's value the program no longer knows what b is.
Next I'll begin on functions, but at this point you should download the free "Visual C++ Express" from http://www.microsoft.com/express/download/. I'm going to begin teaching from hands-on examples rather than keeping this abstract.
Tuesday, January 29
damnit! i freaking love the Ode to Joy.
such passion!!!
such avarice!!!!!!!
one can only admire the feelings packed into this piece.
i dont know what to write about to day.
maybe something witty?
maybe something droll?
maybe something apologetic?
hahahhahaha no.
i yams what i yams.
im glad the things are they way they are.
sometimes i want to eat beef
sometimes i want to eat tofu
sometimes i like to kee pthe lines in perfect arrangement
i bet no one got that.
im just to far out there.
way out there like David bowman.
no one got that either.
comeon josh retrack and take them where you want to go.
ok.
ill take everyone down to the bar
where the piano man will sing us a song for the piano man
ok tghe song is finishing up!
so will i
ive been weird this post
i cant help it
if i dont do it ill explode!
i bet gabe got that one
never knows best!!!!1111
twenty errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-rrrrrrrrrrr-rrrrrr-rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr-r----rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr------rr-r-r--r-rr-r-r--r-r-r-rr--r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r--r-r-r-rr-r-r---ror!
Sunday, January 27
Ah I love this blog, I really do...anything Bob and I contribute loses such continunity and the line...don't even ask about the line!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What's beenin crack-a-lackin?
Kid B was born. Kid B is different than Kid A.
It's weird being a father of two.
Why?
It just is. It's weird how love separates equally, yet wholey for both.
Yeap.
EXTRACTED INFORMATION
Damnit...ass & titties, 2 asses - 4 titties.
DJ Assault is zuning.
I donht know why I read books that make me question
Once I answer them I'm left with even more questions.
Here's a though in my mind.
Question -> Answer -> Question (repeat into infinity)
Ah, I'm reading a lot lately. I think I'll read some C++ books and learn.
Why not.
"Assault fuck me harder"
this is music?
I scoff but I enjoy it.
Once I said I was very stable.
I think that was a lie, I'm so unstable its funny. Thoughts in turmoil always thinking. Questioning.
Happy^Sad^Anger^Complacent^Josh mood.
Ah yes but I am loving life. The mind I have is blessed. The famiyl I have is great.
Why should I hate life.
Donkey Rhubarb and Lizard Pancakes.
I think we's done here folks!
Wednesday, January 16
In the first lesson I talked a bit about what the processor is doing in terms of programs. If you recall, I briefly pointed out that the processor handles only one line of instruction at a time. Programs are linear in this way, starting at a certain point and reading line by line until an end of the program is reached. For the time being, think of programs in this linear fashion.
However, programs don't have to be pictured as a straight line. Programs can be split into "blocks" and can run different blocks of code in the middle of any given block. For instance, your main program may call for another block of code to be executed before it ends. In this way, think of the program as being able to branch in any direction. It starts some place, and reads each line of code line by line, but it may jump to another section of code. If you'd like an analogy then imagine you start a walk from your house and intend to return to your house. You walk one step at a time but you don't have to go a specific path around your block, you can choose to go to the store or somewhere else before returning home.
Blocks are designated in C++ by two symbols: { }. { signifies the start of a block of code and } signifies the end. An example:
{
int a = 1;
}
{
int b = 2;
}
This represents two different blocks of code, one which declares an integer "a" and sets it's value to 1 and another block of code which declares an integer "b" and sets it's value to 2. Note as well that blocks of code don't require a ; symbol at the end, the } symbols works in place of the ; to tell the compiler that the block of code is done.
There's several ways programs can be split in this way, and I'll go over 3 specific methods over the course of the next several lessons.
Estimated future lessons:
Lesson 3: Functions
Lesson 4: Programming logic
Lesson 5: Loops
Please feel free to leave comments if you find my lessons too hard, too easy, just right, stupid, or anything else
Sunday, January 13
Ok, I attempted to begin these sorts of lessons awhile ago (though they were to cover C#, not C++) but my first lesson ended up being huge and I was bogged down by the size. This go around I'm going to keep each lesson shorter and simpler (or at least more focused).
I'm going to begin with a brief overview of what programs are. Programs, in the most basic sense, are what makes the computer actually do some task. In the lowest level this means the processor is processing information. In the lowest level of "programming" programs are only code that is passed to the processor to execute an instruction (via a series of 1's and 0's). The processor handles only one instruction at a time (unless you have a PC with more than one core, such as new dual or quad core processors). The types of instructions the processor handles are varied, but almost all of them deal with manipulating information of some sort or sending or retrieving this information to or from other hardware, in particular the system's memory which is most often where program data is kept.
I'm not trying to go over anyone's head by delving into speaking about the processor, but it's important to understand that C++ is a low level language. Each instruction, in some way, gets interpreted into machine code. When you're working with C++ you are in reality working with low level programming.
So, on to variables. I mentioned that the processor mainly deals with manipulating information, and variables are how a program keeps track of information to manipulate. I'll give some brief examples of variables here:
int a;
unsigned int b = 0;
Don't fret about not understanding it if you've never seen C++ code before. In a nutshell, the ; symbol marks the end of a line of code. In other words, every line of code in C++ ends with a ; symbol. It's merely a way for the compiler (which handles turning C++ into machine code (1's and 0's) that the processor can understand) to know when each line of code is complete.
The format for declaring a variable is [Variable type] [Variable name] [Any initialization to take place]
Take a look again at "int a;" Given the format I described this means "int" is a type of variable and a is the name to give the variable. The easy one out of the way first: the name is simply whatever name you want to give your new variable. The compiler will then keep track of this variable in the code via it's name.
The variable type is a bit trickier. At this point I'm going to remind you that the processor does alot of manipulation of data and that this data is most often kept in the system's memory. The variable type, therefore, does two things: tells the compiler how to handle this variable when it appears in code and how much memory to set aside in the system memory for this variable. If you look up information about variable types on MSDN (http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/s3f49ktz(VS.80).aspx) you'll see that "int" causes the compiler to set aside 4 bytes of memory for your program. You can then fill this memory with whatever data is allowed.
Remember that the compiler also understands how to use the variable because of the type you specify. Variables can have different uses depending on the type you specify. "int", or integer as it's called sometimes, tells the compiler that this variable will hold a number. "char" on the other hand, a different variable type, tells the compiler that this variable will hold a letter such as "a" or "b".
The second line "unsigned b = 0;" is even trickier. I'll cover the " = 0" part, but covering the unsigned part is a bit advanced so I'll only briefly mention here that "unsigned" tells the compiler this number can't be a negative, such as -1 or -7. As for the " = 0" part, this is call initialization. Variables don't hold any information before you initialize them, but you can give them a value as soon as you declare the variable, such as I've done with b. The variable a, on the other hand, would require another line such as this:
int a;
a = 7;
Advanced (skip this paragraph if you want): [The "unsigned" keyword is actually so the compiler can give a specific instruction to the processor itself. Understand that ultimately all variables are simply numbers, even "char" variables. However, the processor has 2 flags it can set to handle two specific kinds of numbers: negative and decimal. When a processor recieves a number these two flags can either be set or unset, letting the processor know whether the number has a negative sign or if it has a decimal place. ]
Conclusion:
I'm taking a rather unorthodox approach to teaching this, but I think it's important to get a bit of a peek behind the scenes to understand what's truly going on. Understanding variables from the standpoint of the processor and memory helps when dealing with the concept of pointers.
Pointers, the last thing I'll mention, hold memory addresses rather than data. I could declare a pointer using the * symbol like this:
a = 7:
int b* = &a;
What this does is assign the memory address (a number that tells the processor where the data for "a" is kept in memory) of "a" to b so that b will reference the data of a every time it's used. The & symbol in front of "a" instructs the compiler to get the memory address of "a" rather than the data it holds.
That's the end of lesson 1. This is alot of work, and I have no idea who will or will not understand it. I'm putting this out there though, for the heck of it!
Saturday, January 12
I made one of the best purchases I've ever made a short while ago. I was at the bookstore, looking for a good book to buy with my gift certificate, and my girlfriend casually pointed to a book about 3d game programming. It seemed pretty decent when I flipped through it, so I decided to buy it.
The book's titled Introduction to 3D Game Programming with DirectX 9.0c A shader approach and it's by Frank D. Luna (Wordware publishing). It begins with a brief overview of some of the mathematical concepts you need to know, such as Vector algebra, Matrix Algebra, and a bit about Planes. After that it goes into a decently thorough look at DirectX (thorough for a beginner at any rate). Just in one chapter alone I learned much about 2d programming that I was hoping to learn (and that got me so excited I decided to post). Also, the book gives exercises that it expects you to figure and do on your own. They're good practice and generally helpful.
The book is a bit tough though. I've never had a decent Trigonometry lesson so the math sections were a bit of a struggle at times (especially the exercises). Given that I've studied a bit about DirectX on my own already the first two chapters are easier, but I suspect the coming chapters on more detailed 3d concepts is going to be truly tough for me.
And the book expects that you have an understanding of C++. If you don't, I recommend finding a good book on the subject. Awhile ago I was thinking of posting programming lessons on this blog but I never really got around to it. Maybe I'll try it again, and this time only post lessons in smaller, easier to manage chunks.
Monday, January 7
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
I ran across this Andre 3000 video today for a song I've never heard. Apparently it's from the Idlewild DVD, a movie starring Outkast (who also wrote the soundtrack). Andre's a musical genius.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq-AZ_SuFm4&feature=related
Wednesday, January 2
I bought the new Radiohead album In Rainbows today. I already had it downloaded for free from their website but I'll gladly buy the album in support.
It came with stickers that you can paste on a jewel case to make your own case for the cd. Pretty cool. I think I'll do that later.
Monday, December 31
Happy new years for those who read this. I hope you spent it better than I did.
But I have to admit the holiday pay is quite nice.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T
Saturday, December 29
I've thought about this much lately over the past few months.
Throughout the years I was blessed with a handful of great friends that shared similar interests with me and accepted the things I/we did as normal.
But that was the past.
Every great dynasty sees a shift in it's time. I can't exactly account for when the moment of our change occurred. Separated now, we barely find time for reunions.
But physically spending time with each other isn't what really counts.
Shared interests and ideas and understandings of each other.
I noticed that dissipate over time.
One wishes to be more social while one adapts to a new way of life.
The closest person I relate to now is Gabe. We seem to share a similar road in every venture of our life. I think it's mostly because we resist an ultimate change in self tooth & nail.
David & I still relate but a lot of his aspirations have changed as with Matt.
I only write about this because I notice that the gap is growing. I'm lucky to have a wife otherwise I'd be totally alone.
It's no guess, I'm bad at making new friends and acquaintances. I don't really fit in anywhere.
Out of everyone I know that is a friend, I believe Gabe will be around the longest and David also, though I watch for changes in his aspirations as they might shorten this expectation.
Eventually I am going to start trimming "the excess". I'm very bad at trying to keep dangling relationships alive. I simply don't have the drive to keep in contact with people from the past that I feel won't work out. (As I did with Cesar the first time and now I fear a second coming as well).
I go through the process of Contesting -> Accepting -> Resting.
I'm almost finished with the contesting phase and I now feel that I am moving to acceptance.
It is tragic I suppose, many years fade away into oblivion but some change is inevitable. We learn to grow and respond differently with each passing time.
I don't believe I'll be lonely any time soon as long as I have my family to stay by my side. Along with my other few friends that I didn't list here.
But as the great Mr Cash once said: "Everyone I know, goes away, in the end..."
Wednesday, December 26
I was given the complete Calvin & Hobbes collection as a Christmas gift, one of the best gifts I've ever recieved.
I've enjoyed Calvin & Hobbes for much of my life. Ever since buying my first collection, Something under the bed is drooling, I've been hooked. And how could I not be? Not only were the strips funny (something that's fairly expected of daily comics) it was imaginative, well written, and fun to look at. Over the years I grew, but so did Calvin & Hobbes. In the early years of the stip the images were more explicitly cartoonish and the style and feel of the strip had an air of immaturity about it. Over the years the images became more and more vivid, sometimes causing me to enjoy rereading strips simply to take in the vivid visuals and style. The writing and themes of the strip also grew and matured, taking on issues and ideas that I could relate to in the older years of my life.
The public has been given an opportunity, now that the strip is over, to see into the mind of the Calvin & Hobbes creator through the Tenth Anniversary Collection and now this complete collection. Mr. Watterson often talks talks of comics and art, of how he believes comics can be art. Can it?
Well, I can ramble and debate with myself about what art is exactly, but there is no need here. There is no need to wonder if art is something heartfelt and meaningful to the artist. There is no need to wonder if art is something with a message. There is no need to wonder if art is the triumph of technical abilities. There's no need to wonder these things because each of them rings true with Calvin & Hobbes, loud and clear. Calvin & Hobbes is art. And one of the finest examples of it I've ever had the pleasure of encountering.
And it just might be that Mr. Watterson was able to reach such levels of true art because of his love and passion for these works. He fought tooth and nail to keep his vision and intergrity alive. He fought to keep control of his creative property. And you can see this love and passion come to life in the exceptional quality of the strip. And not just in the strip, but the collections as well. Even the complete collection is produced in high quality binding and paper, and the layout is simplistic and powerful. It's truly inspiring to see such ideals of art to come to fruition.
The strip is over, but we're left with a gift. A call to create true art in whatever we do. A call to find our love and passion and imagination. And when we do we find the world is not such a bad place, it's not so uncaring and harsh and negative. Our love and imagination make it magical, and this magic is out there to discover.
Sunday, December 23
-Can we change the look and/or name of this blog? Yeah? Yeah?
-Man, I don't communicate much anymore with anyone from Houston
-I got hired to work where my girlfriend's mom works. $15.30 an hour, my highest pay yet!
-I'm thinking of buying a new computer
-I still want a Wii60, but I'm leaning towards a Wii. It's the superior system. But first I want a new computer, my current one is old and I think the fan's in danger of going out or something
Saturday, December 22
Commercial music. Am I talking about those "posers" who sellout their indie style to go mainstream? Yes! But not just going mainstream, I'm talking true selling out. Music literally being in commercials on TV. Hey, Moby got his break that way. Don't you remember the excellent Play album? Yeah, so back off haters.
Good new music that I first heard from TV ads:
Zune commercial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86YGj5D6I3k
Another Zune commercial. It's the best one on this list, so if you're thinking of not checking these out then at least check this one out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UoNtIkRm1HE
Target holiday ads (what can I say? I like the tune): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goMa0dBCVPo
Wednesday, December 12
Let's face it folks, as Americans we are losing our grip on reality and life. What do I mean?
Easy.
We have people that will absolutely never develope critical thinking skills. So let's face it, the extent of our intelligence boils down to some kid on YouTube who thinks it is fun to put his face in an ant hill.
Wake up America! Wake up youth! You're coming into this world blind and when you walk with your eyes closed, you're bound to fall face first.
Tuesday, December 11
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Saturday, December 8
Well, I haven't updated in awhile. I went back to Texas to visit so I was offline for awhile. I'm using the word awhile too much.
I've been trying to learn game development lately, really picking up the pace shortly before I left, but the break slowed me down a bit. I had bought a book on game developing using managed DirectX with C# but it wasn't layed out or written to my liking. I returned that one the other day and bought a cheaper beginners game development book that covers C++ development. I like this book much better as the writer explains in greater detail and also covers Windows development for C++.
You know, I went to ITT Tech and got an Associates in software development. We had three C++ classes but they never covered Windows Development. In a way it makes sense because Windows consist of nothing more than a particular set of APIs. In other words, it has less to do with learning C++ and more to do with learning the specifics of the Windows API. But still, I wish we had learned some Windows development or some form of putting C++ to some practical use.
Before I left I was developing a Tetris clone using Managed DirectX but I may convert it to C++. I'd prefer that because C++ is more standard in the industry and it would work on systems that don't have the .NET Framework installed. On top of that C++ is just funner. I don't like high level languages and I feel I learn a great deal more with lower level languages. On top of that the performance is greater with C++.
I'm rambling. Oh well, I guess I'll go now. I should continue working on learning more as I spent the whole morning watching the entire FLCL series. Good show, check it out if you haven't seen it.
See ya!
Monday, December 3
Ah gotta love the surreality of it all...
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Sunday, December 2
Enjoy your stay
as you can see, there isn't much to report at this unholy hour
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This is a test
--
- Josh Jacobs
"Jenseits von Gut und Böse"
http://cynicalguys.blogspot.com - go read
Friday, November 30
So here I am once again still alive and thankful.
I've slacked off this week, very much so, playing halo for a staggering 16 hours throughout the week.
But at least I can say I am a Sargent with a Quadruple kill medal!!
Anyways
Things have been going as they should, work work off work off work work work work offfffffffffff work and repeat...
I really don't have any cynical reports this week,
Been testing out my new blackberry trying to act all important, balancing quality time with roxanne and ethan against work and friends.
So far so good, though I suppose I should have put up the clothes earrlier this week
ah well.
5am is rolling around quick, its time to retire
not from work though
too bad!!!
LOLZ!
too bad i cant think of a song right of the bat
off the bat
weird reading it
this house is awakening now
its defininatly time for me to re-t-ir-e
Sunday, November 4
This is dedicated to my loving wife, no matter how ludicrous I am, she's still there.
Let me address this rationally, calmly, and formally. I do believe that cynicism and negativity are two different things. The former being an attribute and the latter being a frame of mind.
The former is not negative in it's self.
Let me go into cynicism:
webster.com defines cynical as such:
cynical
Main Entry:
cyn·i·cal
Pronunciation:
\ˈsi-ni-kəl\
Function:
adjective
Date:
1542
1: captious, peevish2: having or showing the attitude or temper of a cynic: as a: contemptuously distrustful of human nature and motives
— cyn·i·cal·ly \-k(É™-)lÄ“\ adverb
synonyms cynical, misanthropic, pessimistic mean deeply distrustful. cynical implies having a sneering disbelief in sincerity or integrity
I read this and think, DAMN! That's harsh, let me explain why this is true and untrue.
Cynicism gives way to such thinking that everything is ill-mannered, why? Because if that's all you believe then that's all you see. But I don't use cynicism as a frame of mind, no, that would make be a very negative person. I use it as an attribute to accurately look at things, justly and with a sense of neutrality. I use it as a tool to discern what's sincere or whats insincere in life. Primarily for the fact that I know their are liars and thieves among us. Yet I am still humbled by the acts of kindness from people. Reading the acts of Jesus and the miracles, looking at my child, my wife, my family. These things I find genuinely in. Don't get me wrong, I also find such qualities in other things as well.
I acknowledge the fact that cynicism can pave the way into negativity if you never humble yourself.
I might be guilty of only commenting on things I cannot form a positive opinion on, I'll work on that.
Let me move into negativity.
Webster states
negative
One entry found.
negative[1,adjective]
Main Entry:
1neg·a·tive
Pronunciation:
\ˈne-gə-tiv\
Function:
adjective
Date:
15th century
1 a: marked by denial, prohibition, or refusal
We see her negativity is such that it's a frame of mind. One who is negative sees only negative things and is not touched by the positive things they should be humbled by in life.
I can't really say I know any negative people. I do know people that have a disenfranchised outlook on life, yet they are moved by a few things.
The big difference I still stress here is cynicism as an attribute, negativity as a frame of mind, two are completely different from each other.
I can easy how a general mistake can be made by saying "he is a cynical person" if he never has anything good to say about anything and is always down. Correct yourself and say "he is a negative person".
I believe that my role models in my childhood gave me a cynical eye. No! This is not a bad thing! I have a very accurate perception on life and people.
Let me turn on my cynicism for a bit so that you may discern for yourself how this is not negative in any such way.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I will never be surprised by what humanity has to offer. I can acknowledge things such as the Holocaust and Hitler's regime and I can also see Jesus' words and teachings at work.
Humanity currently holds in their hands the future of each other. It is so universal it hurts. Yet, despite this unity between humans we easily disregard it and place barriers between us. Why?
Many reasons make us forget our bonds and notice differences.
Yet instead of embracing our differences we segregate each other.
Humanity must realize that climate change, war, economics, its a universal share. No matter how cheesy it sounds, we are all in this together.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That was a cynical though. I accurately analyzed a brief stint of what's going on today. Not everyone will agree, and they are probably the ones that think I'm negative, but that's okay.
There are a few topics in which heats my blood and makes me more caustic at some times than others (i.e. Bush, media, politics) and that might seem more negative because it looks like that I am attacking rather than analyzing. Rest assured, I am still working the latter just in a more aggressive way, you may call this bitterly cynical.
Just like my comment today about how hundreds showed up for the dead little girl that washed ashore to sing Amazing grace - I asked why won't they do the same for the man and woman (2 separate situations) - I assume its because they see innocence in a child, yet they don't feel empathy for one who is older and unknown to them.
Sad.
But that's human nature.
Have I been negative in this post? Please let me know, but I have tried to accurately point out the differences between cynicism and negativity.
Little ghost, little ghost
One I'm scared of the most
Can you scare me up a little bit of love?
I'm the only one that sees you,
And I can't do much to please you
And it's not yet time to meet the lord above
now Internet ads, there's where I become bitterly cynical!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, November 2
I wouldn't be so cynical if you weren't so fucking stupid !!
I do believe that's my new favorite quote guys!!
So let me hop on this post, get ready to eat this one up, I'm all riled up today.
The Bush Administration
I start here because its so damned easy. They/he has harvested and cultivated our fears since 9/11 and molded it in such a way that for months (and a few of you, years) we believed that he knew the the hell he was doing. Now, 4 years after the fact of the war starting, they/he indulges us in saying that the reason behind this war is because of 9/11. Get the fuck off that shit. The attacked happened and we stayed longer than we should. So we have this fucking piece of shit president, making a mockery of democracy, vetoing children health funds but easilygiving more money to our troops for armor. Ok, yes I get it, please protect them. But holy shit man, what about the children? Bush has corrupted what integrity was left in our political system. So, let's all look forward to 1.20.09. That's his last day in office. I hope someone throws trash at the man. Normally I wouldn't express this much dislike for someone, but hey, it's Bush, I can do that. Honestly, do I need to elaborate anymore on this topic?
Corporations = devil
You know, I wish people would STFU about this crap. Whinning bitches complain that the corporations are the devil. You know why? Cause idiots need a scapegoat (mine's Bush for the time being). Let's face it, some corporations rape the land, some help out people. If we didn't have large corporations then we wouldn't have a lot of things that we depend on now. They pay their taxes and yes they do try to cut corners and not pay as much. You would too if you had to pay $20B (or $20,000,000,000 for you visual people out there). Face it, they might not have all their interests in the right place but we as dumb Americans have become dependent on them right? Yes. You might not agree but I don't need you to, I know I'm right.
Britney is being speared
It's so damned scene to crack on Britney now days. I don't like her, in fact I just think she should disappeared. But come on, Yates killed her kids. Female teachers screwin' 13year boys. And we give them 15minutes in the light but not Britney. The way I see it, let her do her thing, but if the fuckin' media doesn't come up with some more interesting, better news, I am going to be pissed the hell off.
the end
yeah, I suppose I could write more, but I'm tuckered out, plus I have a few Tandem jobs I need to confirm ran so, back to work.
Breathe it in and breathe it out and pass it on its almost out / we're so creative so much more / were high above but on the floor / its not a habit its cool I feel alive / if you dont have it your on the other sideeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Wednesday, October 31
So I can confirm that I saw the first Christmas commercial yesterday, Oct 30th around 3pm, it was a pop-tart commercial. Now today, it's been a continuous on-onslaught of them.
Happy holidays.
Already.
;p
Sunday, October 28
Lego Chess based on their recent Castle set. Is that not awesome?
I've recently moved to California, something that allowed me the opportunity to realize a dream of mine and visit an official Lego store. A store filled to the brim with Legos, it was heaven. They had a small section filled with various people parts and accessories and allowed you to build your own custom Lego person to buy. Unfortunately, I never did buy anything. This Lego Chess set that I saw there definitely caught my eye, as did an extremely cool older castle set that included a locked door and little Lego key!
Admittedly that was awhile ago that I went, and I remain empty handed as far as buying from the store. I was just thinking of Legos recently and thought I'd share the story on this new blog. When I get a job I'm definitely going back!
You know, I mentioned this to my girlfriend just yesterday, that I'm really glad I grew up when I did. The 80s and to a somewhat lesser extent the early 90s were a great time period for kids. The toys, shows, etc, were more imaginative, simpler, and much more enjoyable. Today, kids shows are boring at best, and have little imagination behind them at worst. The toys are either overly complex or they're simply ridiculous (come on, battle armor Superman? Hulk punching through annoymous wall?).
Legos, however, above and beyond anything, defined for me the perfect toys. You are given pieces and your imagination is free to run wild. Not only that, you can learn simple engineering concepts, and improve precision motor skills. I had a friend when I was very young who really showed me the power of imagination. He would take pieces from his castle set and alter them in unique ways. He cut the arrows from the Lego quiver and made a sword sheath. He created a Lego armory/shop in his Lego castle. He painted a Lego breastplate black to make a dark knight. He even cut part of a Lego scimtar to turn it into a Lego katana.
Imagination is so wonderful to me. It is a calm peace in a world and life that can be chaotic. It's escape. And I'm thankful that there were and are products like Legos.
But still, I have to remember that there is a reality, and I need to take part in it.
Friday, October 26
Another George Bernard Shaw quote (you know, the guy who said the cynical quote under our title?) that I saw today:
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself." -George Bernard Shaw
You tell 'em George! I dislike those messages which are along the lines of "You can only be who you are" or that you're destined to what you're born to be.
You have choice people! Go make those choices, and become the person you want to be!
Thursday, October 25
** Forgive me I lost a tangible run in this post, will update more correctly at a dater date.
So I'm pondering right now...looking at the emotional health of humanity.
Ok, ok, too big, the emotional health of America (at least any "well-developed" country).
I read this article on wired.com and it struck me in such a way that I'm actually at a loss for words. See, I believe that the entire race of humanity has done away with the handbasket and cashed it in for an express one way ticket to Hell. Can you blame me? Yet people find it in their hearts to care for some animal, who is one in a million, yet still unreplacable and unique as a human.
So let me wander in my mind a bit.
I believe I'm a cynical hypocritcal bastard (and I know that doesn't make it OK, Roxanne ;p) but I still feel compassion for human plights.
Or do I?
I can't tell! I hear about a cop going crazy and murdering 6 people that lived in a house cause he was angry, my response: "Cop's are bastards, that's what happens when you give them power."
Yet I showed no compassion for the dearly departed. Which I don't understand because if I see something else, at a different time, it will hurt to see them like that.
You know, a major impact for me on my empathy for people was my family. I care about them more than I do about someone in the news. Very un-Christian of me I know. Still I wouldn't want to see someone get hurt for someone's neglegence.
Let me render this hypothese: if the action is justifiable or not determines my reactions. And that's very loose.
- Someone could rag on me all day, I would probably careless
- Someone makes a rash comment about my family, I blow up
- Anything happening to a cop, I don't care
- Any incidents that happen because OF a cop, I'm pissed.
- The rich who are greedy deserve their "just desserts"
- Though they shouldn't be treated differently
- Music & movies impact me with emotions that I can't always explain/handle
- The media makes me bitter and scorn the damned!!
- Children are nice
- Teenagers are promiscious, lying, Hitlers!!!!!!!
So I think I have my point of confliction. I'll have sympathy for the devil yet I'll cut him down here he stands.
I suppose that's the point, I'll have sympathy but expect no sympathy from me.
Boo-yah.
But me address this: the media has not molded me this way. No, they might fuel my burning apathy towards violence and what not. Nor was it video games, they only warped my preception of reality (ha!). Nope, I blame it on the male Jacobs gene. and a tinge of Latin machismo.
Let me clarify: the Jacobs men are cynical, stern, unemotional, and unaffectionate. Now holding this in, I have to make an effort in my role as a 4th generation Jacobs man so that I can show my sons I love them (but without using that word later on) and making sure my wife's attentive needs are met. Not just to meet but to show her that I do infact care.
Though it is hard and I slip from time to time I can be caring towards them. But I'll always be a grumpy, hardass that can't cry.
Take a break, you little fake - I blow brains my out, you hesitate.
Wednesday, October 24
So why was I coerced in to creating a facebook? I don't know. No one will probably find me, just david and matt, even though I can easily call both of them. I'll probably delete it next week. Especially!!!!!! if someone from HS tries to contact me.
That was a bridge I burned long time ago.
Cynicism reports today?
- I believe that these fires are biblical. The earth is suffering from disasters time after time, I hope everyone is up to date on their faith!
- I don't think the application guys care much here, it's been over a week since my request for the installation of a CRITICAL APP has been put in. Despite my urgencies and complaints, nothing has yet to be done on this, just beauracies. (or however it's spelt)
- Waking up late, now that just sucks. I woke up at 4:50am instead of my 3:45am and I had to rush to shower and got to work at 5 till 6am. SuxXxOrZ. No I wasn't late. I just wasn't early.
- Thankfully I am out of my teriyaki bowls for lunch!! It will be nice to eat something else for a change!!
- I don't like it when people come in for tours, it disrupts my rythm in work. Especially since one guy (talking to professionals mind you - and he's one himself!) states to a group of guests: "you need interpreters here, one moment you could be speaking redneck and the next oriental..." I'll let anyone interested know when he has finished clearning his desk.
That's about it.
Oh now you're sober, how'd I know you say that?
Tuesday, October 23
For some reason this posted when it was only meant to remain a draft. I'll post it a bit later
Ok, I have two so far.
- No Soft Drinks for the year
- Learn C#
That's it so far.
class ExampleClass{
static void Main() {
System.Console.WriteLine("Hello, world!"); }
I'm posting alot today, hope nobody minds (and by nobody I mean the one other reader of this blog).
I ended up not working on the nibbles remake I talked about earlier tonight. I'm fooling around with 3D stuff, and tonight I was playing around with lighting. Sort of confusing stuff that, but manageable.
I also mentioned earlier that I intended to attempt to remake Dragon Warrior 1. Well, in the original Dragon Warrior the dungeons were rather simple mazes and didn't differ visually from one dungeon to the next. However, a rather unique aspect that I haven't really seen in any other rpgs is that the dungeons were devoid of light. You had to either use a torch or cast the "Radiant" spell to see a small amount of dungeon around you. Nothing visually fancy considering it was a very early NES game.
One of the ideas I've had for the remake is to make the dungeons first person and 3D. In case you don't know what first person means it's basically that you see everything through the characters eyes. A while ago I tried creating some 3D stuff but got frustrated and temporarily dropped the idea. Now though, with the recent advances I've made in learning how to work with 3D, I may consider bringing back the idea. I think it would look cool to explore dungeons in first person and have the torch illuminate the walls in front of you.
I've also recently considered the idea of attempting to make the overworld map 3D but I think I'll abandon that idea. I really should keep things simple for my first game. A 3D dungeon would be alot easier than a 3D overworld map. Speaking of the overworld map, it's pretty difficult to draw water and mountains that look good and that can tile easily as a pattern. But maybe that's because I haven't really put much effort into those yet: I've been stuck on the trees. On a whim, I tried planting each little tree programatically to see if it'd stress the system or slow down the program, but to my surprise it doesn't seem to break a sweat. It'd be kind of cool to be able to control each individual tree. But I'm not sure if that'll bog down the program too much once game mechanics are added in.
I suppose I'm done rambling. Again. Perhaps all this belongs in another blog, I don't know? Aiur, did you even read this far? Do you still read this blog? Is the blog still in an identity crisis?
It'd be cool if I had my own independent game company. Hey, I can dream can't I?
Monday, October 22
I beat Final Fantasy 3 for the DS today!
My thoughts on the game:
The game felt very old school, which is a good thing for me. It definitely took me back to the feel of the earlier NES rpgs. The graphics were excellent, which was slightly confusing. I found myself at times wondering why there wasn't more, given the level of the graphics. It felt as though they changed nothing of the layout or feel of the original gameplay. But overall that's ok.
They added more story than the original. The characters in the NES version were faceless and nameless, but here they were given personality and actual faces (even genders). In the first half of the game this makes things interesting, but the story takes on an epic arc and the characters and their personalities are eventually lost. I won't give anything away, but I will say there's not much to not give away. It ends up being your basic save the world story. But hey, that's the way it's done in old school, so I'm not complaining per se. I just felt they gave up on adding to the story in the second half.
At first I didn't know what to make of the job class system itself. I seem to have played these job class games in reverse order from best to worst. My first experience was with Final Fantasy Tactics, which had the best Job Class system I've seen, and possibly the best overall character development system I've come across in an RPG. The second game I played was Final Fantasy 5, which was a step down in many ways, but still enjoyable. So the jump to this game, which lacked the ability to carry abilities over to other jobs, or to train your characters stats by what job they were using, was a bit of a shock. It was basically nothing but picking what job you wanted to be. I didn't really get into this system until the very end of the game, where I decided I really needed to pick my go-to team to take down the last boss. That customization is enjoyable, but not to a level I'm used to in most other games.
And as a side note on the job class sytem. Something Final Fantasy Tactics did that this game does not (nor does Final Fantasy 5 for that matter) is make it so you gained higher job classes by training in certain jobs. In this game, Final Fantasy 3, you're merely give more job classes at certain points in the game. That just doesn't sit well with me; I'd prefer to work on getting high skills myself rather than having them handed to me at alloted points.
My final point is that the last area is very long. Well, it's not too long really, but the inability to save makes it seem very long in that you're forced to press forward until the end. Luckily the Quicksave feature will save you from having to sit there for over an hour or more, but it is the only point in the game where I noticed the lack of save points. It's probably not a game who's ending I'll be seeing often...
...Oh, and Lord help you if you die at any point. It reminds me of the relentless cruelty of other old school games like Ninja Gaiden who would send you back ridiculously far if you died in the final areas.
Did I say everything I wanted? I don't know, I could probably ramble for a long time. I will say that it's good as far as remakes go, the graphics are an excellent example of what the DS can do, and I'm extremely looking forward to the upcoming 3D DS remake of Final Fantasy 4.
I'm not so sure I have much cynical thoughts in me as of late. I haven't had contact with many people, and my attention has been reverting back to where it once was: videogames.
I'm currently attempting to make a game in C# 2005 (Is 2007 out yet? Blasted fast technology) using DirectX 9.0 (10's out...and holy cow does 10 make games look good). I went in to this knowing little about how games are made, but I've been sputtering along, and I feel I've made a tiny amount of progress. I tell you, it's hard to learn by simply using Microsoft's help files!
Yesterday I figured out how to make textured primitives. A sad breakthrough I'm sure, considering where pros should be at. But by golly little progresses make me happy, and slowly but surely I'm getting better. I'm hoping to possibly make a 3d landscape for my game.
What game? An rpg of course. I'm thinking of remaking an NES game: Dragon Warrior 1. I have many ideas on how to improve it. Still though, I haven't decided if it'd be more productive to work on my own original game.
And last night the idea hit me that I should try making my own version of "Nibbles", an old QBasic game where you're a constantly moving snake who eats things and gets a longer and longer tail. It was a game I tried making in QBasic long ago, but now I could make a pretty good version using what I know of DirectX! So I might try working on that tonight.
Oh well, if I do, I may post the finished results.
So really, I'm too tired to be really cynical today, much less even provide an iota of thought to my post. But here is something that ticks me off. Data access. I've been jumping hoops to get added to the right security group at work and it's still been a week! I've had supervisors and team leads escalate and still nothing!! They even say it's done!! I still can't install it!! sob.....
That's my complaint, eat, sleep, and be merry.
Sunday, October 21
Starcraft, what can I say? Both Aiur and I used to play this game together via network play and loved it. The insane opponents! Nukes everywhere, crazy swarms of enemies, desperate sieges that lasted untold amounts of time. It was great.
I heard about Starcraft 2 awhile ago and geeked out. The only information they had available was on the Protoss units, and they didn't have many landscapes to show. Still though, it looked insanely good.
Fast forward to now, when I decided to see what's new on it. New screenshots! Info about Terran units! More landscapes! And HOLY COW is it looking good! I'm geeking out all over again. So I thought I'd post some of my joy and some links.
http://www.starcraft2.com/screenshot.xml?s=53
Mind blowing graphics. I've said it before and I'll say it again. With advances in technology companies can make extremely good looking 2d games if they base it in 3d. I wish more companies would do it. This is by far the best graphics for any game I've seen a preview of, even Gears of War or any PS3 game. The water, shadows, grass and trees and cliffs, everything looks extremely good.
Of course, I may be going over board simply because I love Starcraft ;p
If you haven't yet, I'd recommend playing the original Starcraft and it's expansion set Brood Wars. Not only is it very fun (honestly, one of the most well balanced games I've ever played in my life), you get the back story so you'll be ready for this sequel. If you love to be as creative as me, it also comes with a nifty map editor. But if map editing's your thing, I'd either go for Warcraft 3 or wait for Starcraft 2, which is reported to have an even better map editor.
Better map editor! I love map editors! Geeking out!
Thursday, October 18
I don't intend this blog to be a negative one but more rather an accurate one.
As the quote states above, we got it.
LOLZ
Wednesday, October 17
The best way to describe human truth may be through experiences. Jesus made much use out of speaking truth through human experience by way of His parables. Short little stories of human events that contained fundamental truths of the human experience.
Why would that be best? Because the truth can't be quantified, much to the chagrin of scientists and philosophers alike. They want something neat and compact. Something that can easily be distributed and leave no questions. But life isn't like that at all. It's subjective, ambiguous, chaotic. And nothing captures all of that better than tales of human experience.
But truth is there. A fundamentally deep and pure truth. And it's only there for those who choose to see it. Like the parables of Jesus, like the fairy tales of old. Tales of human experience. Ultimately everyone sees what they want to see, but some can and do see to the core value of the stories, and to the truth that lays behind them.
Life seems chaotic at times, but there is a truth behind it all. That's the end of my ramblings for today :)
Tuesday, October 16
Ah, yes, existentialism. I firmly believe that life should be peeled away throughout it's absurdities and defined in the most appealing (to you) way. Though, not everyone might be mentally and spiritually prepared to dwell far into their existentialistic world still, everyone should at least try.
Like why do I always see things out of place? A chicken on 290, a dancing coke fiend on Mangum. Personally, I can define these things, very loosely, but still I can.
I just don't get how people wander through life with a quagmire foundation on what reality is.
The Hills. Someone shoot me if my validation in life is a $5,000 dress from some Italian brand-name store. God, life is more than that. At least to me.
I have successfully defined many points in my life as important and self-concluding that I have some purpose on this world.
Yet, the bigger picture still awaits.
And yes, existentialism has given way to a severe nihilistic view such as: not everyone has a greater purpose. They will live, make a "living" and die. But sadly that's what many people accept and live. Mayhap, it's not so sad as it sounds but we shouldn't all expect to change the world. We can however, change our world and the ones that are around it.
Be a good parent.
My sons has defined me. My wife has defined me. My family has defined me.
So live life and question it all, no matter how absurd it is.
Oh yes, the Zune.
I <3 ZuN3 LOLZZEz!!1!1!!!
I bet Sartre was my real father.
Monday, October 15
Hello all, we're back...I guess? What was this blog about? A game we were creating, eh? So what's this blog going to be about now? I don't know...
And how long will it stay in the annals of the internet? Will some person 30 years from now read this? Will they wonder who we were? I don't know why I'm waxing philosophical (did I even use 'waxing' correctly?), Google will probably just go bankrupt...ahahahaha! I jest, I jest. In all seriousness they'll probably just end up merging with Apple and Microsoft and taking over the world. Wars will soon officially be nothing but mass FPS contests.
Speaking of games, I'm currently trying to develop one on my own. For now it's simply a remake of an old classic NES game that I'm using as a basis for learning the process. Perhaps it'll evolve into an original game, I don't know, but recreating a game is a suitable enough challenge for now.
Hey! Maybe this blog will end up being about custom games? That'd rock. For real kid. And whatever else the kids say these days. Do they still say groovy? They should. Like the Brady kids. That's a classic show reference if you're wondering. You shouldn't be wondering, because classic TV is something everyone should enjoy (maybe not, because if it was Nick at Nite wouldn't resort to more and more recent shows).
Hey! Maybe this blog will end up being about classic TV shows?! That'd rock. I'm just repeating myself now, and this post is long enough, so see ya later
So I wanted to bring this back.
Funny story,we lost the website due to credit fraud.
project1000 has entered an indefinite hiatus
I've decided to turn this into a real blog, with a strange template.
Bob can change it if he wants.
ANYWAYS if anyone actually reads this, im going to route this through some domain.
ANYWAYS
let me comment on The Price Is Right.
I am a member of the Bob Barker Babysitting Club. He watched over me many a summer weekdays, I grew to such affinity towards him that I, like many others, were struck with grief. But he had to have his time to himself.
Today, television history took place and I am witnessing currently.
Today is the first day that Bob Barker is not on the show.
Drew Carey is.
I like Drew, but the awkwardness that he has with the show is...well...awkward. He offers the show a new fresh breath, I suppose if I can just get over the fact that Bob isn't there for me any more I will be okay.
The audience seems to receive him well.
The main difference is Drew's demeanor on the show: he is a comedian and Bob was not.
For the first show, he has done good. Thought still awkward, the show must go on!!
Still...who can pay $811 for a hammock?
Damn.
Souljah boy tell em....
Friday, August 11
Domain owner:
Looking for 'project-1000.net'
Domain zone 'NET' is for networking organizations
URL for registration of domains: http://www.internic.net/origin.html
Server 'whois.melbourneit.com' reply [1185 bytes in raw data]:
Domain Name.......... project-1000.net
Creation Date........ 2006-08-11
Registration Date.... 2006-08-11
Expiry Date.......... 2007-08-11
Organisation Name.... "Bob" XXXXXXXX
Organisation Address. P O Box XXXXX
Organisation Address.
Organisation Address. EmeryVille
Organisation Address. 94662
Organisation Address. CA
Organisation Address. US
its a good day for project1000 ^^
Thursday, August 10
i would like to find a dependable host for our project very soon. i have the bulletin board php files. this will also give me insight to configuring php.
Wednesday, August 9
So should we keep it simpler? Like no other players building houses in other players towns? Just building a town should be simple enough..it's raw data mainly..like earth 2020 or whatever it was called, just numbers..such as some database:
player Blahblah
houses: invididual house data like type (shop, inn, etc), tile data, any other data (like which town folk live in the house)
trees: type (fruit maybe? pine? etc)
We should be wary of how much data we keep but it can be kept rather low with simple numbers and a file naming convention that follows suit (like for a certain tile we can send 1, 2, 4, 5 or something like that which 1 could be the land it's found in, 2 the type (tree, brick, etc)..well you get the idea, and our file structure for images could follow suit so when the page draws the tile it'd look for www.blah.com/1/2/4/5/Image.gif..you know?
i think we should be wary of what we can and cannot do. i dont think that learning and programming this stuff is an issue but rather what we can pull off from using webservers. we should educate ourselves more about how web based games work and what kind of workload we will be placing on the servers.
more load = more cost.
Here's what I'm thinking..We should quantify as much as possible; that is, keep things as stats and numbers, but also have the visual interface where players could walk through the town old school rpg style
What am I talking about? Like buildings, the player would have x number of buildings, x number of trees and so on and so forth. This would allow not only for the more indepth old school rpg experience but also allow us to design a simpler interface for the more casual players who would rather deal with their town in a more "sim city" sort of way, and the player could choose how they want to interact with the world
Ok, ok..let's start at the beginning here, make sure we're on the same page and what have you..The game is an rpg meets sim city type experience. The player gets a town, or a plot of land, and can build a town..well..ok, maybe the player shouldn't be forced to have land to build a town, but that's definitely the main point of the game..ok ok, let me try to muse some more here..
I was thinking of it like a huge huge world, with different lands that have different kings and different customs and all that..the player is a knight or whatever (if there are job classes then they're just a person who's whatever) who sets out to settle..now this is a maybe, but maybe they can either find a plot of land or they can try to build a house in another players town..Is it getting too complicated? I don't know..
What are you picturing the game as?
I was thinking buildings should be their own entity. Instead of players placing tile after tile and forming a building that way, players should design buildings first and then have them built in their town. This will help as far as things like player wars, and what type of building it is (is it an inn? a shop?).
So the player won't just build some brick tiles, then some wall tiles, and call it a building. The play could design buildings (have floor plans or whatever) and town folk would build it for a cost. Then the game would know how many buildings a player has in their town, what the buildings are (so we could know things like how many shops and inns a player has). If there's ever town wars, buildings could get destroyed and appear ruined, etc.
Town folk should play a role in the players town. They should be able to have job classes and provide various roles to your town, for instance:
Architect; The player could go to them and design their buildings (Buildings are something else I need to address)
Builder (or a better name); They build the buildings the player wants to place in their town
Landscapper; Allows the player to plant trees and grass and other such things
Merchant; Sells things in the players town
And so on. They could even have various levels of their job class, such as a builder being able to build a better quality building or some such.
Notes 08.02.06
Ever player will run their own town
- Space and Traveling issues
Characters
- PCs will have non unique names
- Players have viewable paper dolls to dress and equip
- Job class system?
- GM or EXP?
- Players will react to each other in localized chat rooms
-
Notes 08.03.06
Towns
- Towns will be controlled individually with limited creaability
- Players are given plots of land to add on
- They may purchase add ones with game currency or real money
Notes 08.06.06
Towns
- Multiplayer towns should be only availible to guilds (?)
Notes 08.08.06
Movement
- Will be keyboard based movement (full movements)
World
- Tiled maps
- Tiles differ according to area (winter or barren areas)
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