Things to Purchase
For the most part, got pretty much everything I wanted done here with one exception, but it was at the bottom of the priority list anyway. Getting a new car and a new computer to do work with were definitely the two big ones. Getting the drum set was also awesome, though I have slacked in using it in the second half of the year. Just too much weekend work to get around to it.
Things to Learn
Did pretty good at this as well. Definitely got much better at drumming thanks to my awesome drum instructor. Wish I could've kept going with the lessons though, I could be even better. Pretty much failed at picking up the guitar, though I still know more than I did before the year started. Otherwise I did get better at cooking, and the social life is doing better than ever.
Things to Complete
This is where all my utter failure is. Didn't get a single one of these goals done. Didn't play anything with a band (which is not really my fault so much, but it's a failure nonetheless). Didn't complete any of my writing projects, nor did I get NaNoWriMo done this time around. I think it was overall just a case of my life changing significantly around getting a new job, which has been much more of a time suck than I predicted. Plus working way more than 2009 has left me not wanting to do as much on the side. Hopefully this year's goals will be a little more realistic and pertain to what I really want to do from a side project perspective.
Games
So I definitely bit off more than I could chew here, but it's not like I really knew how much to go for. I think all things considered I did a hell of a job getting through a lot of my backlog, even if I only got about half of my goal done. I just aimed too high. This year's goals are more in line with what I actually did.
Media
Complete success across the board here. Thanks to Netflix, I watched a ton of movies, and somehow managed to get my TV goal done, with the majority of it coming in the last couple months. For the most part, this year's goals will be the same, just with a higher movie goal.
Previous Goals
I'm very excited for 2011. As long as certain work things go according to plan, I'll be making a full salary, which will enable me to finally get a better place that will help make several other goals possible. I have full confidence that it will happen, but like many other things in life, there is no guarantee. Here's to a potentially awesome year!
]]>Things to Purchase/Acquire
New laptop to replace my two six-year-old computers - YAY! So I managed to boost up my credit card limit a bit and got a new laptop. It is now my work computer so I got my other new computer back and it's doing what it was meant to do (play stuff on the TV). I'm loving having a portable computer again, especially one that can actually do modern things. One by one these things are just getting knocked down.
Things to Learn
Drum Lessons - Don't think I had any during this period of time. Just didn't have the money, and now finding time is also difficult. I miss them greatly.
Guitar Learning - As I said before, waiting on Rock Band 3 guitars to come out (have game now, love it). Most likely, not going to happen until next year due to finances.
Games
DS Games (40%) - Nothing finished, but have started a new game of FFIII. Do like it, but I'm rarely in a situation where it makes sense to play it above other things.
PS3 Games (60%) - Finished Resistance 2 and nothing else. That game was a disappointment. Am playing a lot of Rock Band 3 now, love the setlist and looking forward to getting better at the keyboards.
PS2 Games - Still haven't finished FFXII yet. Actually in the same situation as before, but I did complete a lot of side stuff in the two month period. I just stopped playing for a long while when my old laptop died since this is not the kind of game I solely focus on. I usually listen to podcasts while grinding away.
Other Media
Movies (146%) - Just keep on rolling up the counter here. And to be honest, this doesn't even include every movie. There were a couple during the last few months where they were so bad or mediocre that I chose to not count them to the total. As I predicted before, will definitely go over the 150% mark.
Shows (80%) - Got through another three seasons of shows during these two months. Having trouble trying to remember the first one, but the other two were great. One will hopefully get more content, while the other one has two more seasons to go and I've got them queued up to go. Considering that I'm already currently watching four other shows right now, this goal will be completed with no problems.
Previous Goals
And now for some new goals:
It's really hard to think of anything else to goal for since all of my immediate attention is on NaNo. I have no idea what I'm going to want to do when December rolls around. I already know that no other game goals will get done, that's just a given. And with an upcoming wedding and Christmas, my money will be focused on those and paying off debts. Lots and lots of debt.
]]>Things to Purchase/Acquire
New car to replace the old one - FINALLY! My old car died three months ago at this point, so I've been using a spare the whole time. Not a bad car by any stretch, used to drive the same when I was in high school, but it's a gas-guzzling POS compared to my old car (which got ~35MPG). But now! New car! All mine! And it gets even better mileage! Sweetness.
Things to Learn
Drum Lessons - Still doing these on an irregular basis, and still enjoying every single one. As a plus, my instructor might even join the band I'm in with another friend, since we still need a bassist to really start playing stuff. Exciting!
Guitar Learning - Haven't even thought about this. I'm pretty much convinced that I'm not going to bother again until Rock Band 3 comes out, which will supposedly help people learn real guitar. I'm stoked for that.
Games
Wii Games (100%) - I only had one game on the list, and I did finish that one (Muramasa), so I'm done here until I get another game (probably Super Mario Galaxy 2). Muramasa was pretty fun, but it is very repetitive and the only thing really driving you is getting all the swords. Once I'd done that, there wasn't much point in playing anymore.
PS3 Games (53%) - In the last couple months my PS3 has largely become my Netflix Instant machine, with some Rock Band here and there. I did manage to finish Pixeljunk: Shooter (which is a great game, can't wait for the sequel), and am over halfway through Resistance 2. That one really isn't that good though, so it'll be a while before I bother to finish it.
PS1 Games (66%) - I mentioned in the last entry that I was playing Xenogears, and I finished that. That game really is frustrating in how good it is, but once you hit the second disc, it just goes to shit. Really a damn shame. Moreso than any other game, I'd want to see a remake that's actually complete.
PS2 Games - Haven't finished a game here yet, but I've been playing Final Fantasy XII a LOT. Like seriously, I've put over 100 hours into it now, and still have more to complete. I'm at the point where I can just go to the last dungeon and finish it, but I want to get as much completion as possible since it's very likely I won't play the game again for several years, if at all. I do really like the game, but it's just so long, it's hard to see myself starting it again anytime soon.
Other Media
Movies (116%) - Passed by the threshold a while ago and just haven't looked back. I can easily see myself getting over 150% by the end of the year. As I said at the top, I haven't been really motivated, so I've been watching a lot more stuff than before. And I started using Netflix Instant, so that has helped.
Shows (60%) - Wow, there was a huge jump here. Granted, I did change the qualifications a little bit, but I have been watching a lot of shows as of late. Now instead of just shows, I'm counting things by seasons, so even though I only watched 4 shows (Skins, Arrested Development, Madlax, Penn & Teller's Bullshit), they totaled up to 7 seasons worth of content. And yes, all except one show was thanks to Netflix Instant. I think I might have a chance to reach this goal now.
Previous Goals
And now for some new goals:
I think that is sufficient for now. Going to be working a lot in the coming months, so I'm trying to keep it realistic. Waiting waiting waiting on that first paycheck.
]]>Things to Learn
Drum Lessons - Had to quit these due to financial struggles. But luckily my instructor is willing to keep going on a less regular basis, so they continue, just not in the same way.
Guitar Learning - Completely dropped this pretty much. Just no time with everything else going on, and it's not a high priority for me at the moment.
Games
PS3 Games (47%) - Only game I was working on was Final Fantasy XIII, but I lent it out for several weeks, so I haven't touched it in a while. Otherwise, the PS3 is still my Rock Band machine.
PS1 Games (33%) - Main game I'm working on now, replaying through Xenogears. Definitely a flawed game in a lot of ways, but also does a lot of things character-wise that most games of its kind don't do. I think I'm about half way through it or so.
Gamecube (33%) - Finally finished up Eternal Darkness, and am half way through Resident Evil 0. Should've finished it a long while ago, I just got distracted away from it.
Other Media
Movies (78%) - I definitely think next year I'll bump the number of movies up.
Shows (13%) - This one will be bumped down instead. These take a lot longer to get through than I tend to realize, especially shows that are multiple seasons (like the last one was).
Books (133%) - Books will also be bumped up next year. Granted, two of those were partial finishes, but now I have two full finished books in the first half of the year, and will probably get two more by year end.
Previous Goals
And now for some new goals for the next two months.
I'm holding back much more this time around because I don't know what I have in store. I was hoping to be getting money by now, and that still hasn't happened, so I have to play it safe in case I have to get another job to stay afloat. I can also tell that I'm in a consuming mode right now rather than a creative one, so I don't expect to get a lot done in the writing space.
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Things to Learn
Drum Lessons - So now with almost four months of lessons, I can honestly say that I've improved significantly in the areas that really count. Certainly no master at it, but I feel like I can really make music now. Lessons have gotten to the point where they're more just jam sessions than anything else. They are still fun, and I'm going to keep doing them as long as it takes.
Guitar Learning - I'm not fully back on the wagon yet, but I'm not ignoring it like before. Had a few good weeks where I got some things down, but with the way work has been lately, it's hard to justify giving time to it when I have so little available.
Games
DS Games (40%) - Finished two games so far this year, so I'm ahead by a little bit. Put it down a month ago to focus on reading again, and also try to pick the PSP back up (with no success).
PS3 Games (47%) - Finished another few games in the last few months, currently working on number 8. I know I said I was going to focus on other platforms, but I just couldn't stop myself from charging right into God of War III and Final Fantasy XIII. I don't regret it at all. Those games are fantastic.
PS1 Games (33%) - Hard to really count this, since I've only beaten FFVII a dozen times or so in my life, but it's still a long game to beat, especially with doing all the side quests. This playthrough really pointed out a lot of the flaws to me though, which is a good thing for me when designing my own stuff.
Other Media
Movies (52%) - Again way ahead of the game here. Movies are just so darn easy to get through compared to everything else. I've resolved to put more effort into shows for the coming months, and I've been doing okay at it.
Previous Goals
And now for some new goals for the next two months:
But there are a few things worth mentioning, at least in regards to this website. I have been keeping up with updating my goals page, so that's not really an issue. There will be a full update on those when May comes around.
So, the big news is that Knoxinator Productions, which this site represents, is now an official company! That's right, I registered the trade name with my local state, and it is now an actual entity capable of earning money. It's not like I had to do that, I can make the same money under my own name, but this feels a little more official. And I like the name, so this way no one else can use it.
What is this new company going to mean? Not a whole lot in terms of my output. I am working on making this a bigger part of my daily functions, but it's not something I can really devote myself to since it doesn't really make money as of yet. The company is really just going to be an IP holder and an income buffer for any money that does come in.
Anyway, things are coming down the pipe! Continuing on with my goals. Working on the Seraph universe before I rewrite the first book and start on the other books in the series. Learning how to program for the iPhone OS so that I can make games and other apps for it. And of course working on my actual job (which also ties into the iPhone development).
]]>Things to Purchase/Acquire
Drum Set - This has been purchased, and I've been playing it for a few weeks now. I can definitely agree that the cymbals will need to be replaced at some point (they sound way different from the ones I use during lessons), but it is certainly sufficient for what I need right now. Hopefully I will be able to get a place to put them soon so that they can actually be of use.
Things to Learn
Drum Lessons - Been doing these for a month and a half now, and I really have a blast doing them. My instructor is my kind of guy, and we seem to spend half of our time just messing around, even though it is all still learning new things. Probably only going to do them for a couple more months, but I will probably miss doing them.
Guitar Learning - Fallen off the wagon on this. Haven't even touched the thing in over a month. Definitely need to get back into it.
Games
DS Games (35%) - Did finish Chrono Trigger a while ago, and I'm most of the way through Mario & Luigi: Bowser's Inside Story. Will be finished soonish.
PS3 Games (33%) - Gone through five whole games already, so I'm taking a break from those to focus on some of the other categories.
Other Media
Movies (24%) - Doing very well here. Already 24% done, using only 17% of the year so far. As long as I watch one movie per week, which is easy to do, then no troubles finishing this goal.
Shows (7%) - Not doing so well here thus far. I always forget how long shows can be at times. Perhaps I should have made this goal for only 10 shows.
Books (66%) - This is kind of a cheat. One book, I started way back in last year and only finished it this month. The other book was an audiobook, so it wasn't really reading a book. Still, got all the same information from it. I think this goal will be easily crushed. Next year I'll probably set it at five books instead of only three.
So for the next two months, the goals are pretty simple:
Really really hoping for the last two. Another update in a couple months.
]]>The reason I enrolled into the program in the first place is because I've wanted to start my own business for a long time. My dad did it when I was young, and that experience never left me. Being around that left me with a sense of determination that most people never get. Even today, I still fully intend to start a company that develops video games (and this website is somewhat critical to that effort).
Anyway, the time since college hasn't really helped in a lot of ways. The economy certainly had an effect since by the time I tried to get a good job in my field, most companies were playing it safe. I had an initial intention of starting a company with my dad, but by the time I had graduated and was ready to get going on it, I had lost all motivation to pursue it. The thing about startups is that if you don't really love the idea, it will never happen. So I ended up getting a part-time testing video games before I managed to get my current job at Boeing.
After being here for a year, it has become painfully obvious that big companies are just not for me at all. I thought I could endure it for a few years, wait for the economy to bounce back, then move into a smaller company like I had originally intended. But no, at the start of the year I was already starting a search for another job.
And last week, the stars aligned for me.
There is a new startup in the area called Ivycorp, which "employs" several people I've worked with in the past. I say "employ" because there is no real money in it yet, most people are working for stock. After talking to them, I have agreed to also join, with the intention of becoming a full-time employee after they acquire funding.
So for the present, I will be working for them, for no pay, on the weekends when I'm not doing my paying job. The first thing I'll be working on will be in mobile phone apps, so that's an exciting new area for me to dive into.
Why am I crazy to do this? Well, with the time I'll be committing to Ivycorp, the hours I'll be working for the next few weeks will be upwards of 70 hours per week. Sacrifices will have to be made, but I'm hoping that the time invested will be well worth it. The company has very strong potential (I'm not at liberty to talk about the details), so I'm hoping that it will be a place I get to spend a good amount of time at. More than anything, this opportunity is several steps toward my ultimate goals, and I'm ready to take the risk necessary to get on the path.
]]>But, after doing this for half a year or so, I'm calling it quits on public transportation, at least for commuting to work. The fact of the matter is that it just takes too long. When I drive to work in the morning, it's generally 30-35 minutes depending on traffic coming out of Seattle. When I drive back home in the evening, it's 25-30 minutes usually since the roads are clearer by then. In contrast, taking the bus, as I said before, it takes 20 minutes to walk down there, and then the wait which can be as much as 15 minutes, and then the actually bus trip is around 50 minutes on average. This means the whole trip can be 70-85 minutes on average. Back when I was working my old schedule, the trip back would include a wait of up to 15 minutes, and the bus would take anywhere from 60-90 minutes due to rush hour traffic, plus the 20 minute walk back up the hill. Lately, with my new schedule, the wait can be up to 30 minutes if I happen to miss one, but the ride on the bus is usually 30-45 minutes. So taking all that into account, taking the bus right now takes 120-180 minutes of my daily time.
So, take the bus, 2-3 hours gone. Driving the car, 1 hour.
I've known the discrepency was there since I first started, but I had ways to justify it, which I will list here and then refute.
I'm too tired to drive in the morning
This was really my main reason, and it is true. On the days when I do drive, I do have trouble keeping focus on the road in the morning. Plus, who wants to add the stress of driving in the morning when you could have someone else do it for you?
Well, the fact of the matter is that the only reason this happens at all is because my current car has nothing to listen to. When I was living with my parents, I would drive their car to work, which has a nice sound system for me to use. Even with the fact that those trips were more than twice as long as my current ones via car, and I woke up at the same time as I do now, I never got tired in the same way. So, my conclusion is, I just need something to listen to when I drive in the mornings. Easily fixed.
I can do things on the bus
Sure, I can. And admittedly I have played through a few games on my PSP and DS on the bus, plus listened to dozens of podcasts. Never got around to reading.
The big problem is that it took weeks for me to get comfortable doing it. I don't have motion sickness to the same level as most of my family, but I'm not 100% immune to it. The thing is that when I do things like this in a moving vehicle, it causes my body temperature to increase very quickly, which in turn leads to me becoming nauceous and getting headaches. I know this is true because I can do the exact same thing with less clothing on, and be completely fine. On the bus, I already have to take off my outer clothing just to be comfortable at all. It's weird to sit there in a T-shirt when everyone else is bundled up with winter coats and scarves, and I'm still hotter than I'd like to be.
And so even then, most of the time I just don't want to play stuff, which I would rather do than anything else while riding. The only time I ever played on my PSP or DS was in the morning, never on the way home. And a lot of times I'm too tired in the morning to do it. So the only other thing I have to do is listen to podcasts. Well, I can listen to podcasts at any time, I don't need to be on the bus to do it. I can better spend my gaming time at home, which I do.
Taking the bus costs less than driving all the time
This is the one thing I cannot refute, because it is true. To get a bus pass for a month, it costs me $69 (currently, it used to be $60). Back before I started taking the bus, and I was just driving from Seattle to work, my gas bill each month was over $100. Based on my gas mileage, the distance to work, and the current gas prices, it is overall cheaper to take the bus.
But really, what is a few bucks each month? In the last few weeks, I heard someone say something that seemed so obvious, yet was something that I didn't really understand until I heard it. What he said, in just as many words, was "time is the most precious resource you have." And I brought that back to my goals this year, which is to use my time to its fullest. Why am I wasting an extra hour or more riding this bus to and from work just so that I can save a few bucks and maybe get some things done while I ride?
So, I am quitting the metro as of today. Well, I really quit a couple weeks ago since I haven't taken it since January. Even if it is just an hour, I still want that hour to spend time where I want to, which is at home, where I can actually get things done. I gave public transportation a try, but the fact is that busses just don't work well enough when the distance is further than five miles. Things would be a lot different if I were going into Seattle for work, but that's not the case. I just need to get used to driving in the morning again, and things will work out just fine.
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