Learning Programming: Day 2

It always amazaes me how I can be bored at work for months on end and then be in a sea of work that I can't get out from under. Hopefully this weekend will buy me some time.

The next chapter of the book is still a snail's pace read describing how the windows system is so wonderful and helps programs run better by helping to decide drivers for systems for the program. It also states how when games could directly access the hardwere, they ran faster and with more stability. Pro's and con's aiside, I think it's about time they give me a command list or two so I can feel like I am progressing on my goal.

Don't get me wrong, the history of why it works that way is important for me to know, but I'd like to get moving. I think I'll do two games for each thing they teach me. One to walk through it, and the other to test how well I learned it. One will be the evolution of the game I'd like to make and the other will be little games with Thomas the Tank Engine for my nephew. I think it will be a help to have a drive behind it, and I'd love to see if I can get him to enjoy computers.

Day 1.6

I got to see the book on my desk yesterday, but still didn't have a chance to look at it. I can't wait till this project is over. I have a pretty fuel efficiant car, so the milage checks I get are great. This month might be enough to cover getting my house painted.

I still dream of learning how to make games.

Day 1.5

I had a lot of work pile up, so I didn't have time to get to the next chapter. I am hoping to start on Tuesday.

I am getting really tied of San Antonio. I hope I can get all this cleared up soon.

Day One- The Book

Well, I went out and bought myself a book. I chose this one because it looked like it was going to focus on C++ and also look at it from a gaming stand point.

I have trouble learning things that are not applicable, so I thought just learning trying to learn the language would go nowhere. This book will hopefully help me create small games that relate to the big picture of the game I really want to build. I think it will help to have a goal in place and make the things I learn much easier to recall in the process.

The first chapter of the book is a little discouraging when it come to imagining the odds of me creating a game, but let’s start with one thing at a time. Baby steps are the key, and I’m ready to get started. I liked the description of OOP and think it will make sense to me as I build. I recall making games when I was very young and everything was thrown together in one big chunk of code. The idea of having each object separate and then linking them together makes this a lot more feasible in my mind. I can imagine making standard characters or creatures that I can put into other games as I get more advanced.

I wish I had some talent when it comes to graphic design, but something tells me that graphics are further down the road then I think.

When I grow up...

This blog has been about many things. One is to write about things that I am passionate about. Another is to find out what I am passionate about. So far it looks like I am passionate about stories told in any media. I love reading, watching, or playing stories and I don’t think that will ever go away. Now that I have discovered this, what do I do about it?

My best gift is my ability with computers. I have a knack for them that comes naturally. It has helped me get a job and prosper to a life I find comfortable. I love my life as it is, but see that some time very soon, it will come to an end in the aspect of my job. This has been a constant worry for me and a painfully dull and repetitive conversation for those around me. I have to grow in my career path, but my job does not provide it? How will I live after this job passes without coming up with skills to replace what the atrophy of my current position has squandered? This worries me all the time. I have grown lazy and can’t find the passion to move at the speed I used to love.

Well, my friends, it looks like I have two things that drive me in work and play. Those two are stories and computers. I’m going to try and combine the two by trying to learn how to make games. Small crappy ones at first, but hopefully they will grow. I am not sure if I have the time or the drive to do it, but I must at least try.

My plan is to buy a cheap book on how to make a game in C++ and blog my progress. Perhaps you will see yet another fantasy die, or perhaps the emergence of a new life for me. I’ll keep studying things for my career and keep this as a hobby. I hope it will be a hobby I have for years to come. Wish me luck.

The Decent

I got to see this movie last weekend, and really have to say I liked it. It had some great shock moments, dimly lit gore, and a ton of blood. The best thing about it was that no one tried to over explain the damn thing.

One thing I hate in horror movies is when you have someone in the film trying to explain what is going on to rationalize or make it more believable. I didn’t come here to see something that could happen to me. If I wanted to be terrified by something of that sort, I’d just watch he news.

This movie did exactly what a slasher horror movie is supposed to do. Take a group of people that all have different backgrounds and a common bond, isolate them, limit their escape options, and have some unknown thing start killing them. They even made it all females so you didn’t have to deal with the man/woman dynamic crap. It was about as good as a horror movie can get in our desensitized world.

You should go check it out.

Happiness is right here

I don’t know how I could have forgotten. I love Domo Kun. He makes me so happy. I wish to meet him one day and spend the day together. Not in a gay way, but I don’t think there is a chance of that

Refinishing Cabinets

It’s been a year since I started, and I wanted to give you my opinion on a project close to my heart. That project is refinishing my kitchen cabinets. My opinion is simple; for the love of God, never do this to yourself unless you are a shut-in with free time or have a kitchen with one cabinet door.

This process has been nothing but a pain for me. Between the constant sanding, the destruction of using power tools, the humidity in the air being a real negative factor, and the nightmare of using stain is a long and painful process. Let’s sum it up.

Take apart cabinets
Use varnish remover
Sand off remaining stain
Use lighter sandpaper to smooth
Use wood conditioner to even stain
Sand lightly again after conditioning
Stain wood within 30 minutes of conditioning and sanding
Apply second coat.
Apply third coat (optional)
Use cloth to spot stain uneven stain areas
Apply sealant
Sand smooth
Apply second coat of sealant
Re-drill hole and reattach hardware
Reconstruct cabinets
Murder drunken whore that points out imperfections

See? Wasn’t that simple? All it took was not having a life and living in a place with no humidity. I have saved over $1500 dollars by doing this process myself. I will tell you that this was not worth that money. I will suggest that if you are dead set on a project like this, throw away your cabinet doors, buy some nice wood and a router, and make new doors. I promise you, it will be the best plan. It has beed so miserable, I can't even find anything smart ass to say about it.