First Post!

 Uncategorized  2 Responses »
Dec 222012
 

So, even though I picked up my iPad before Thanksgiving, and have had WordPress installed then as well, I am just now testing it out. One thing I will say is that as I work in situations like this, I become more and more convinced that the extra money for a wireless keyboard was indeed a wise investment. Much better than tapping away on a glass plate (although if I had grown up using just a glass plate, it probably wouldn’t phase me as much).

I’ve told a number of my friends that I was probably the most ambivalent iPad buyer ever. I did not rush into the store, mouth agape and drooling in excitement over the latest Apple product. Rather, I somewhat grudgingly shuffled in and only after taking the time to reassure me that this was necessary did I make the final purchase.

See, I know that tablets can be very handy, but at the time, I just did not feel that I could justify the expense.

A tour of job interviews convinced me otherwise.

Even at my current job, we are moving into the mobile iOS market. So, really, mobile gaming is so entrenched that one cannot go without having experience in playing the games on the market. And since I plan to be using my Droid for a while, the iPad was a logical step. Hence, I dropped into a Best Buy, did some research, and finally settled on a iPad3, with retina display and cellular support.

So far, it has been nice to have, but for me to really feel like I’m getting the most out of my money, I plan on working this thing like a punch press. After Christmas, I plan on using some of the holiday currency to get some more paid apps for the device, especially ones that allow for my creative pursuits, including music, video, and image editing.

I also think I’m going to start working more with the eBooks on Amazon and iTunes. I’ve found that it’s a lot easier to read on the subway when the book isn’t the size of a small sedan (although that does make me feel cool).

Also, I should note that I have been impressed with the battery life: I have it where I’ve only charged up up every few days, instead of every day.

Finally, I’m hoping that the easier ability to do writing on subways or just around in general leads to some more writing. Lord knows I have enough backlog these days.

Ah, I see

 Life in General  1 Response »
Apr 212011
 

Going into the eye doctor today for a new perscription and contact fitting. Well, I assume I’ll get a fitting, at least; I didn’t specify that when I made the appointment, but hopefully it’s something that they’ll be able to do without prep time. Everywhere else I’ve been has been that way, but let’s not make assumptions….

I’ve been putting this off for a while, which is not good. I’m down to my last pair of contacts, and they are getting due for a change. The tricky part right now is that it will take time for an order to come in — so, here’s hoping I can make the current pair last a bit longer….

 Posted by at 7:07 am  Tagged with:

On the move

 Life in General, Work  Comments Off
Apr 052011
 

On Friday, there will be another “move” at work, where I shall be moving desks for the 5th time. Good thing I don’t have any desk stuff to move, really, aside from the computer and moniters.

This time, I’ll be going back upstairs, to the “quiet” floor. The good part will be that there won’t be as many distractions. The bad part is that things tend to be not as fun, as, well, there aren’t as many distractions.

At this rate, I will have moved a dozen times when it’s time for my 1 year review. I wonder if there is a badge for that?

On the “not good” side

 Life in General, Work  3 Responses »
Apr 052011
 

On Friday, as I was up in the skies so blue, my friend Coray was “dismissed” from work. From what I’ve gathered, it was a pretty civil affair; the reason for termination was that it wasn’t a good fit, although there are probably other factors involved. Regardless, at least there isn’t any bitterness or anger on either side, which is about the best you can hope for.

I was originally also a bit concerned about this, as Coray is also the guy who hired me. Hence, if work wasn’t happy about how things were working out with him, I wondered if I could be far behind….

Fortunately, during my weekly 1 on 1, I got some reassurances from my supervisor, who happens to be the company president; her words carry some weight.

But still, it’s just a reminder on how uncertain this business can be; remember, the last two jobs I had were dead through problems beyond the power of the company. And other people I know lose their jobs just because when the main project is done, there is no more need for them.

It is not a career for those who enjoy rock-solid stability.

Home and Safe

 Life in General  2 Responses »
Apr 042011
 

For the record, the flight back was long (and delayed) but no other issues. Vanessa was her usual bouncy sweet self and actually came out to meet me at the airport; the cab/train ride back to the apartment was much more enjoyable as a result. :)

John was also at my apartment, using it as a rest stop for his own travels. We chatted breifly before I went to sleep. The rest of the weekend was spent with Vanessa, and catching up on some video gaming (of course).

This week is an engima to me at the moment. As always a lot to do at work, but I feel good about getting it all done. Basketball happens at some point (need to find out) and this weekend is the tough Mudder. At home, taxes await, and my old laptop’s screen is ready to die, so it’s time to move the Leveno into place.

There’s also another matter weighing on me, but I’ll have to wait until I’m at an actual computer.

Wow

 Games, Life in General, Uncategorized, Work  Comments Off
Jan 212011
 

So, Area/Code has been bought by Zynga, and is being established as Zynga New York. This is pretty big news, on a couple of levels.

First off, this may represent the sea change we’ve been waiting for in NYC, where it becomes an established location for game companies. It’s something we’ve been waiting for many years.

But secondly, and much closer to home for me, this is now the second of the “Big Three” of early NYC game companies to effectively disappear from the map. Gamelab shut down, and now Area/Code has been bought. In my original view of NYC game studios, that leaves Large Animal. Yes, I know there are more, but these were the three that everyone I know worked at, or worked with the people in charge: Eric Zimmerman, Frank Lantz, and Wade Tinney. We may well be looking at the end of the early era of NYC game studios, and the start of a new one, one of growth and depth.

A good start

 Life in General  1 Response »
Dec 302010
 

A cute TSA girl said she loved my shirt, which is one of my tasteful Chip n Dale long-sleeves. Hopefully this bodes well for the rest of the trip.

 Posted by at 6:30 pm  Tagged with:

At the airport

 Life in General  4 Responses »
Dec 222010
 

Still no full body scanners — I’m getting disappointed. How am I supposed to get super powers without getting bombarded by xrays?

There’s a Dunkin Donuts stall across from my gate. I’m thinking about grabbing some and bringing on board as my secret stash.

Check-in and security lines remain fine. A little surprising, given the traffic getting here. The real question, though, is if there is a troublesome delay awaiting me….

Early Gift

 Life in General  5 Responses »
Dec 192010
 

I promised myself that I wouldn’t upgrade my laptop until I had saved up to certain point — I reached that moment earlier this month, and while I could have waited until January, I wanted to have my new toy for the Christmas break.

Hence, I am now on the trip home with my new Thinkpad W510 — a mobile workstation for the modern nomad. I also jumped and upgraded the RAM from 2gig to 8; coupled with the i7 processor, it should be rather spiffy.

Once I’m home I should be able to test it out and start loading up vital programs. Like WoW.