Sep

Another Year Older, But Am I Any Wiser?

slowder on September 30th, 2009

The past year has been a journey to say the least. I was still working through the divorce. I still thought I had a shot at settling. Turns out I was wrong. In order to complete it I had to go through bankruptcy. It’s relatively painless if you qualify. There is a ton of paperwork, and a lot of uncertainty…but it has helped me start over.

It cost me my house, I didn’t need something that big for just me. I was able to re-affirm my bike, so I’ll be able to continue paying on that and keep it. Unfortunately the little things about credit are gone. I can’t take advantage of those same as cash offers…oh well, I’ll just save up to get stuff.

But the problem comes when the unexpected happens. My personal laptop died two weeks back…Replacing something like that would have been easier with credit… but I can deal, with a little help from my friends.

I’m feeling like the old 1999 me. The enterprising version of me. The one with a vision and a plan. The creative me. The me I enjoyed being. I’ve been working on a new side project for a couple months now. It was an idea I had just after leaving Hinrichs-Flannagan. After talking to friends and friends-of-friends, it turns out there are a ton of people who need it. So, again with some help from my friends, we’re building it.

I have learned from my previous experience in running a company. I’ve also learned from everyone around me, for good or bad. In some ways I am wiser.

In some ways, I’m still foolish.

I think the only way I’ll know if I was wiser this year than I was last year, is to wait until next year…

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Jul

My July 4th

slowder on July 9th, 2009

Guess where I spent the evening of the 4th? I finally made it down to m5! It was awesome. There was even a simple piece of paper on the door, thanking fans for finding the place. It was late, and no one was around, but I figured they wouldn’t be working that week anyway.

life, photography 1 Comment »

Jun

Helpbags.org

slowder on June 20th, 2009

A very good friend of mine has been working on a non-profit she created. What she’s been doing is collecting a few small things that homeless people can use. She’s not trying to cure homelessness, but she is offering a helping hand. I’ve helped her hand out these bags before. I’ve seen the appreciation on the homeless’ faces, even more than I heard their comments of “Thanks.”

When she started a page on facebook to get the word out, I had to help. I set her up with HelpBags.org. It was the least I could do to help her cause. What I’d ask each of you to do, is hit the site, and consider helping. Even the smallest of items can do a lot of good. You might be surprised, but the ziploc bags are a help, I’ve heard the homless say so.

Non-Fiction, life 2 Comments »

Dec

Things Do Not Change; We Change.

slowder on December 7th, 2008

It’s a quote from Henry David Thoreau.

Well, It’s been about two weeks since I left my last job. And even in that period of time lots has happened. I believe my divorce is now final. I had to go through arbitration to settle the division of assets and debts. Turns out I’ll have to come up with 12,500 in less than six months. So if any of you want any of my game systems or other stuff, now’s the time to make an offer! Also, if you need handy-man services; I’m ready, willing, and able!

Other than the divorce I’ve been working on my screenplay for my next project, Game Stack. It’s pretty much complete. I added few bridging scenes. I have three people providing me some reviews on the story as it is, making sure it makes sense. I’ve already analyzed using existing books and movies that tell similar stories. It appears to hit all the plot points it needs to, but that doesn’t always mean it’s good, or it will be accepted well by the public.

We’re looking to start casting and finding crew for this over the next month or so. Since no one has any money now, this will be a very low budget affair. We’re pulling in favors, bribes, and blackmail to make this movie happen. I’m thinking it will pay off.

I’ve also been on my new job for a week and I’m really enjoying it. It’s no one thing that makes me like it, it’s a bunch of little things. For example: when someone needs new code designed, they have to fill out a Design Document. The person fulfilling the request has to approve the document before starting on it. This means no vague requests. It also prevents someone from requesting one thing, then upon delivery changing their mind. There are other things like formal QA, Design before implementation, and more. Yes the pay is good, but its all these little things that make it better here.

I hope that no one thinks I’m trashing on my last job, or anyone there. I really felt I had a family at my old place. It’s what made it so hard to actually leave. The people in my team were great to work with. It’s just the culture there prevented any real improvements. And I just took that too personally. I want to always give everything I can to make things better, and when you have so many people working against that goal… well it just became too much to take.

I wish everyone well at my last job. I hope things do get better there. I hope change can come to them, and make their lives easier. I wish you all the best, and good luck!

Tags: screenplay, work

life No comments »

Nov

Good News Everyone!

admin on November 20th, 2008

It’s been a while since I’ve been on here, but I have good reasons.

I’ve been working at my current employer for three and a half years. I no longer see this place in a positive light. So I’ve worked hard to find a better job. After a fairly short search I found a new job. It’s a really good fit for me. They are a little more structured in technology than where I was. They have higher requirements for those in a client services role. They have a design phase for new work and upgrades. They have a QA process for releasing new code into production, and most importantly, they needed someone with some experience. After less than an hour after leaving the in person interview I got the offer!

I’ve also spent some time helping a friend’s mother with her floors. She wanted to replace the flooring in her kitchen and dining room. She chose to go with laminate faux wood floors. When whe pulled up the old flooring to start, we found beautiful real hard wood floors, one of rooms was even red oak…Talk about SCORE!!!

Those are nothing compared to the last thing that’s been taking up time. I’ve been reading more, and as a result, I’m back into writing. I’ve finished the 2nd draft of a screenplay that a group of friends and I are planning on shooting in March of next year (or whenever it warms up). I’ll be splitting my time between pre-production and all my other obligations for the rest of this year.

I have to say even though this year has had some major crap in it… there have been some very notable plusses. Considering we’re coming up on Thanksgiving it was pretty important to get those plusses out there, since I am thankful for them.

Keep an eye on http://hollowcoreproductions.com/ All of my video work will be released through this company.

life No comments »

Apr

Energy Independence and Robin Hayes

admin on April 15th, 2008

The following is a letter I sent Congressman Robin Hayes today. He sent out a letter assuring his constituents that he “felt our pain at the pumps”. I highly doubt that, considering the $75,250 he received from “Energy Concerns” for his 2006 election.

—
Dear Robin Hayes:

While we need to become more energy independent we do NOT need to spend money improving the oil refineries, that will only tie us to oil longer. It’s a waste of time and money.

Again, putting money into domestic oil and natural gas exploration will do the same. A waste of time and money.

Turning coal into gas, It’s still a fossil fuel, and will run out. A waste of time and money.

Ethanol, while not a fossil fuel, it’s little more than a stop gap measure. A waste of time and money.

Expansion of Nuclear energy. Now we have something. While fission is here today, and we do need a few more reactors running to get us along for now. We MUST put money into nuclear FUSION. This is the only near term solution for energy we should be concentrating on. It’s clean, it’s renewable…It’s our future.

This is where we MUST put our time and money. Anything less would be… you got it! A waste of time and money!

Thank you!
—

What do you think?

Tags: opinion, politics

writing 2 Comments »

Feb

Reading the Results

admin on February 28th, 2008

The following story was contributed to ficlets.com last week. It’s a follow-up to my story “Judicial Execution“. I’m putting it here so that you can check it out! Let me know
—–
“That’s the end of it.” Joseph turned to look his colleague in the eyes. “What was served by his death? He didn’t know who he was, let alone why he was being killed.” At the corner of his eye, just the smallest hint at a tear began to form.

“Just because some criminal didn’t remember the crime, doesn’t mean he’s innocent. The family had to have closure.” George replied.

“This wasn’t closure for these victims’ families, this was revenge. The only reason we aren’t now trying these families for a crime, is we have some vague idea of justice scribbled on some paper. This latest death only adds to the toll, it doesn’t wipe it away!”

“True, but taking memories doesn’t prevent more of these terrible crimes.”

“Neither has killing the killers.”

“Don’t go spouting off your numbers to me again!” George turned away, not wanting to face the fact that he had no clear point that made him right. As he faced away all he could do is pull another file from the stack on his table. “We have to try something more…”

Tags: Drama

fiction, writing No comments »

Feb

Another Cover Story

admin on February 21st, 2008

I’ve contributed another story to ficlets. This time I added a sequel to another author’s work. Russell Ruffino created an interesting start with “Day 44″. I followed up with “Another Cover Story“. I’ve included it here

—–

“We rounded up another 34 today sir…” The young lieutenant reported matter of factly to his commanding officer.

“This was to be expected.” The older man turns away looking through his blinds over looking a simple parade ground just outside the OPS Center.

The lieutenant shifts uncomfortably in his own skin, “I understand, I just can’t get used to these orders. They’re only looking for food, they have begun to starve. I know our orders but…”

“Let’s hope we never get used to them.” His CO interrupts.

“Agreed, Sir.”

“How close are we to wiping out the last of the infected?” The CO turns and presents the façade of a man who has complete control over the situation. His presence here is little more than a formality, his control…non-existent.

“Most of the hotspots south of the Thames have been burned to the ground sir, the cover story is intact…a natural gas line had been leaking unnoticed. A simple light switch ignited the whole thing.”

“How many more cover stories…” the CO thought to himself.

Tags: Drama

fiction, writing 1 Comment »

Feb

Judicial Execution

admin on February 19th, 2008

The following post is actually from my ficlets account. It’s a site for short fiction, very short… 1024 characters is the maximum space you get to tell your story. Feel free to comment here, or at http://ficlets.com/stories/21152 about this story. I plan on releasing a new chapter each week.

—–

I woke with a start.

“Where am I?”

Sitting upright in a darkened room, I try to reach out with my senses to tell me where I am. Cold, inelegant metal bites into my legs and wrists.

“What the?” I softly question myself.

I come to realize the room isn’t dark, my face is covered by unfinished leather. I feel the same around my chest and waist. My chair is hard and unforgiving as I struggle modestly against my restraints. I feel someone approach my side.

But I am not comforted.

The presence roughly paws against my head with a cold, wet sponge. The cold I knew is now replaced with something much more powerful now, terror.

I struggle more passionately now.

“What’s going on?” I raise my voice to the presence.

The only reply I receive is a sharp blow to the side of my head and a chuckle.

I soon become aware of two more things, the ticking of a clock and the rumbling of a small audience.

As I shout my last words, “Why am I here?” I struggle to understand.

I can hear the switch being pulled into action.

Tags: Drama

fiction, writing 2 Comments »

Feb

New Photos at DeviantArt!

admin on February 18th, 2008

I’ve added a few photos from my trip to Raleigh, NC last December. I took the backroads to get there. I wasn’t interested in making good time. I was more interested in seeing what had changed in the last decade.

You see, back in 1995 I was a up and coming freshman at NCSU. I had just graduated High school in the top third of my class, I was and still am a slacker, but I had been accepted into State with open arms. By the end of the first month, I had decided it was time to have my car on campus…ahh the beginning of the end.

I used to take NC Hwy 49 North to Asheboro, meet up with US 64 East all the way into Raleigh. It was a (relatively) quick 2 hour and 2 minute drive from doorstep to doorstep. The speed limit was for old people I used to tell people.

I had dreamed of the day they would finish work on 64, making it 4 lanes all the way from Asheboro to Raleigh. Well, I had decided to visit the school, and see how “My University” had changed. First off, the 4-lane road was completed. You can even by-pass Pittsboro now. But I took Business 64 in any way. I wanted to see how the town had changed.

Other than the highway, it felt as though little had changed.

And then I rolled up to Centennial Campus. When I was a freshman, there were only two buildings on campus there. But now there were at least 20 buildings, a lake, condos, Redhat had even moved onto campus with two seperate buildings!

It was hard to believe this was the same school I had struck out on my own to find my life, only to find out it was much, much harder than I could have imagined. I have to say the school is definitely aging well. I can hardly wait to see it continue. Hopefully I’ll find my way back up there before another 10 years has passed.

You can see some of the photos I took while on my trip. Very little is of the campus itself. I have a slightly different eye than that. I do invite you to check out my gallery at Deviant Art.

And please comment, let me know what you think of the photos. I look forward to taking more this weekend. I’m heading up to the mountains to unwind for a bit.